Spring clip safety IV catheter

ABSTRACT

A safety IV catheter includes a unitary, resilient needle guard received in a catheter hub. The needle guard includes a proximal arm or wall that includes an opening through which a needle passes for axial movement. When the needle is retracted from the catheter, it releases the force that had previously prevented movement of the needle guard within the catheter hub. This in turn causes the needle guard to snap into a position in which it is clamped onto the needle shaft and in which its distal wall blocks access to the needle tip. In this condition, the spring needle guard and needle can be removed from the catheter hub. A slot or crimp may be formed in the needle shaft that engages with the needle guard after the protected needle and needle guard are removed from the catheter hub, thereby to prevent removal of the protected needle from the needle guard.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/638,641, filedAug. 14, 2000, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.09/183,697, filed Oct. 30, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,287,278, which is acontinuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/097,170, filed Jun. 12,1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,117,108, which is a continuation-in-part ofapplication Ser. No. 08/915,148, filed Aug. 20, 1997, now abandoned,their contents are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to intravenous (IV) catheters,and, in particular, to a safety IV catheter in which the needle tip isautomatically covered after needle withdrawal to prevent the healthcareworker from making accidental contact with the needle tip.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] IV catheters are primarily used to administer fluids, sometimescontaining medications, directly into a patient's vascular system. Thecatheter is inserted into a patient's vein by a healthcare worker byusing a handheld placement device that includes a sharp tip needle. Theneedle is positioned in the interior hollow portion of the catheter withits tip extended slightly beyond the edge of the catheter. The end ofthe apparatus opposite the needle tip is made up of the needle connectedto a needle hub which is capable of being held by the healthcare workerduring the insertion procedure.

[0004] The insertion procedure contains four basic steps: (1) thehealthcare worker inserts the needle and catheter together into thepatient's vein; (2) after insertion into the vein with the needle point,the catheter is forwarded into the vein of the patient by the healthcareworker pushing the catheter with his or her finger; (3) the healthcareworker withdraws the needle by grasping the hub end (opposite the pointend) while at the same time applying pressure to the patient's skin atthe insertion site with his or her free hand; and (4) the healthcareworker then tapes the now inserted catheter to the patient's skin andconnects the exposed end of the catheter (the catheter hub) to thesource of the fluid to be administered into the patient's vein.

[0005] The problem is that, immediately after the withdrawal of theneedle from the patient's vein, the healthcare worker, who is at thistime involved in at least two urgent procedures, must place the exposedneedle tip at a nearby location and address the tasks required toaccomplish the needle withdrawal. It is at this juncture that theexposed needle tip creates a danger of an accidental needle stickoccuring, which, under the circumstances, leaves the healthcare workervulnerable to the transmission of various dangerous blood-bornepathogens, including AIDS and hepatitis.

[0006] This danger to the healthcare worker from accidental needlesticks has caused an impetus for the development of a safer IV catheterin which the occurrence of such accidental needle sticks is prevented.Safety catheters that have been developed to achieve this result aredisclosed, for example, in Lemieux Reissue Pat. No. Re. 34,416, CrawfordU.S. Pat. No. 5,558,651, McLees U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,504, Gaba U.S. Pat.No. 5,697,907, and Dombrowski U.S. Pat. No. 4,978,344. Kulli U.S. Pat.No. 4,929,241 and Chamuel U.S. Pat. No. 5,053,107 disclose a protectiveneedle guard for use with a hypodermic needle.

[0007] The prior art safety catheters all exhibit one or more drawbacksthat have thus far limited their usefulness and full acceptance byhealthcare workers. For example, in the safety catheter disclosed in theLemieux patent, the force required to engage the needle slot within theguard flange is relatively great and would interfere with the removal ofthe needle. Reducing this force to a more acceptable level would createthe possibility of the needle guard remaining in the catheter hub afterthe needle is removed from the catheter. As a result, the safetycatheter disclosed in the Lemieux patent would not consistently functionin a reliable manner.

[0008] Similarly, the user of the safety catheter disclosed in theDombrowski patent would have to exert a considerable force to remove theprotective cap from the catheter hub when the cap engages a needle. Thesafety catheter disclosed in the Dombrowski patent would also berelatively expensive to fabricate because of its inclusion of a flexibleflange and a tether.

[0009] The McLees protective device requires an irksome extra pullingaction or tug on the needle guard through a retention ring to remove theprotected needle from the catheter hub. The McLees device also requiresthe assembly of two separate components and is thus relatively costly tomanufacture. In addition, the needle in the McLees device includes alarger diameter portion near and at the needle tip. This feature of theMcLees device would require that the remainder of the needle be of alesser diameter which would have the adverse effect of slowing the bloodflashback through the needle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide asafety IV catheter which reliably and automatically prevents accidental,inadvertent contact with the needle tip after use.

[0011] It is a further object of the invention to provide a safetycatheter which provides reliable protection to the healthcarepractitioner against needle sticks without requiring any change in themanner of use of the safety catheter by the practitioner.

[0012] It is another object of the present invention to provide a safetyIV catheter of the type described which is relatively simple andinexpensive to manufacture.

[0013] It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide asafety catheter of the type described in which removal of the needlefrom the needle guard after use is prevented.

[0014] To these ends, the safety IV catheter of the invention includes aresilient spring clip needle guard that includes a distal or front endand a proximal or rear wall. The spring clip is inserted into thecatheter hub and is urged by the needle shaft into contact with theinner walls of the catheter hub so that the needle guard is reliablyretained therein. When the needle is withdrawn from the catheter, theforce it had previously exerted on the needle guard is released, causingthe needle guard to pivot within the catheter hub until it clamps ontothe needle shaft. At this time, the distal end wall of the needle guardblocks the distal pointed end tip of the needle. In addition, the springclip and protected needle onto which it is clamped can be readily andsafely removed from the catheter hub. The needle may be provided with aslot or, alternatively, may be provided with a segment of increasedwidth, such as a crimp, which cooperates with the needle guard toprevent the inadvertent removal of the needle from the needle guardafter their removal from the catheter hub.

[0015] In another embodiment, an IV catheter apparatus is provided whichcomprises a tubular catheter having a proximal end and a distal end anda needle having a needle shaft and a tip, where the needle is receivedwithin the tubular catheter when in a ready position. A catheter hub isattached to the proximal end of the catheter, where the catheter hub hasa hollow interior and an inner wall. The needle is movable between theready position, in which the tip is outside of the catheter hub, and aretracted position, in which the tip is within the interior of thecatheter hub. A unitary needle guard is positioned in the interior ofthe catheter hub and includes a resilient portion engaged by the needleshaft when the needle is in its ready position. A section of theresilient portion of the needle guard is urged by the needle shaft intocontact with an interior wall of the catheter hub when the needle is inits ready position. An inwardly extending annular protrusion is formedon the interior wall of the catheter hub for engaging a segment of theneedle guard for retaining the needle guard in the catheter hub duringthe movement of the needle between its ready position and its retractedposition. The needle guard includes a distal wall extending from theresilient portion and spaced from the needle tip when the needle is inits ready position and movable within the interior of the catheter hubto a blocking position distal of the needle tip when the needle is inits retracted position in which the needle shaft no longer exerts aforce on the resilient portion of the needle guard, such that contactbetween the segment of the needle guard and the catheter hub isreleased.

[0016] In another embodiment of the spring clip safety catheter of theinvention, a retaining groove or bump is formed in the inner wall of thecatheter hub, which, in te ready position, engages a lower arm of thespring clip to aid in the retention of the spring clip in the catheterhub.

[0017] In yet a further embodiment of the spring clip safety catheter ofthe invention, a slot is formed in the needle. After the spring clip haspivoted to its retracted position and the needle is clamped by thespring clip, further movement of the needle in the proximal directionwill cause the rear or proximal arm of the spring clip to seat in theslot, thereby to more securely clamp the needle shaft to the springclip.

[0018] In a further embodiment of the spring clip catheter guard of theinvention, a tether is connected to the needle hub and the spring clipguard to prevent the spring clip guard from being pulled off theprotected needle without requiring an excessive clamping forcetherebetween.

[0019] In yet a further embodiment of the invention, the spring clipneedle guard is in the form of resilient intersecting arms, eachterminating at a distal guard wall. When the needle is in the readyposition, it passes through the guard and urges the resilient arms awayfrom each other and against the inner wall of the catheter hub. When theneedle is retracted past the guard walls, the resilient arms spring tothe safety position in which both of the guard walls are positioneddistally from the needle tip, thereby to form a barrier that preventsinadvertent contact with the needle tip.

[0020] To the accomplishment of the above, and to such further objectsas may hereinabove appear, the present invention relates to a safety IVcatheter as described with respect to presently preferred embodiments inthe following specification, as considered with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021]FIGS. 1A and 1B are semi-schematic views in partial cross-sectionof a safety IV catheter in accordance with a first embodiment of theinvention in the ready and retracted positions, respectively;

[0022]FIGS. 1C and 1D are semi-schematic views similar to FIGS. 1A and1B of a possible variation to the embodiment illustrated therein;

[0023]FIGS. 2A and 2B are semi-schematic views in partial cross-sectionof a safety IV catheter in accordance with a second embodiment of theinvention in the ready and retracted positions, respectively;

[0024]FIGS. 3A and 3B are semi-schematic views in partial cross-sectionof a safety IV catheter in accordance with a third embodiment of theinvention in the ready and retracted positions, respectively;

[0025]FIGS. 4A and 4B are semi-schematic views in partial cross-sectionof a safety IV catheter in accordance with a fourth embodiment of theinvention in the ready and retracted positions, respectively;

[0026]FIGS. 5A and 5B are semi-schematic views in partial cross-sectionof a safety IV catheter in accordance with a fifth embodiment of theinvention in the ready and retracted positions, respectively;

[0027]FIGS. 6A and 6B are semi-schematic views in partial cross-sectionof a safety IV catheter in accordance with a sixth embodiment of theinvention in the ready and retracted positions, respectively; FIGS. 7A,7B and 7C are views in partial cross-section of a safety IV catheter inaccordance with a further embodiment of the invention in the ready,engaged and retracted or protected positions, respectively;

[0028]FIGS. 7D and 7E are semi-schematic views similar to FIGS. 7A and&b of a possible variation to the embodiment of the inventionillustrated therein;

[0029]FIG. 8 is a semi-schematic perspective of the spring clip needleguard used in the embodiment of FIG. 7;

[0030]FIG. 9 is a semi-schematic cross-section of the spring clip needleguard of FIG. 8;

[0031]FIGS. 10A and 10B are semi-schematic views in partialcross-section of a safety IV catheter in accordance with still a furtherembodiment of the invention shown in the ready and protected positions,respectively;

[0032]FIGS. 11A and 11B are semi-schematic perspectives of the needleguard clip of the embodiment of FIG. 10;

[0033]FIG. 12 is a semi-schematic perspective view of a safety IVcatheter in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

[0034]FIGS. 13A and 13B are semi-schematic cross-sectional views of theembodiment of the invention of FIG. 12 in the ready and protectedpositions, respectively;

[0035]FIG. 14 is a semi-schematic view in partial cross-section of asafety IV catheter in accordance with still a further embodiment of theinvention, wherein an inwardly extending annular protrusion is providedto releasably retain the needle guard within the catheter hub;

[0036]FIG. 15 is a semi-schematic cross-sectional view taken along line15 of FIG. 14, showing a continuous generally annular protrusion;

[0037]FIG. 16 is a semi-schematic cross-sectional view similar to thatof FIG. 15, showing a generally annular protrusion having a smalldiscontinuity formed therein;

[0038]FIG. 17 is a semi-schematic cross-sectional view similar to thatof FIG. 15, showing a two-part annular protrusion;

[0039]FIG. 18 is a semi-schematic side view of the needle of FIG. 14;

[0040]FIG. 19 is a semi-schematic side view of the needle of FIG. 18rotated 90° about its longitudinal axis;

[0041]FIG. 20 is a semi-schematic perspective view of a tool used forassembling one configuration of the present invention;

[0042]FIG. 21 is a semi-schematic end view of alternative configurationof the present invention showing the needle guard oriented so as tofacilitate insertion within the catheter hub; and

[0043]FIG. 22 is a semi-schematic end view of the alternativeconfiguration of FIG. 21, showing the needle guard after it has beenrotated so as to remain within the catheter hub until the needle ismoved to the protected position thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0044] The safety IV catheter of the invention, generally designated 10in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, includes a needle hub12 that includes an axial opening 14 which securely receives theproximal end of a needle 16 having a sharpened tip 18. The needle hub12, as is conventional, is hollow and includes a flash chamber 22. As isalso conventional, the needle 16 is received within a hollow tubularcatheter 24, the proximal end of which is concentrically affixed withinthe distal end of a catheter hub 26 having a distal section 28 and acontiguous, larger diameter proximal section 30.

[0045] The catheter hub 26 terminates at its proximal end in a Luerfitting 32 adapted to receive a tubing set which, in a known manner,administers intravenous fluid into the patient. The catheter 24 issecured within an axial passageway 34 in the distal hub section 28 bymeans of a sleeve 20 received within the passageway 34, which engagesthe proximal end of the catheter. Passageway 34 communicates at itsproximal end with a flash chamber 36 formed in the hub section 30.

[0046] In the ready position of the catheter, shown in FIG. 1A, thedistal end of the needle hub 12 is snugly received in the proximal endof the interior of the chamber 36 such that the needle 16 extendsthrough the chamber 36, the passageway 34, and distally beyond thecatheter hub 26 and catheter 24, so that its tip extends beyond thetapered distal end of the catheter.

[0047] In use, the distal tip of the needle and the catheter areinserted into a patient's vein. Thereafter, the healthcare practitionermanually places the catheter further into the vein and then withdrawsthe needle by grasping and moving by hand the proximal end of the needlehub 12. The Luer of the catheter hub 26 is then fitted with a source ofthe fluid that is to be administered into the patient's vein.

[0048] In accordance with the present invention, as the needle 16 isbeing withdrawn from the patient, a protective needle guard 40 locatedwithin the hub chamber 36 automatically snaps into a retracted positionin which it blocks access to the distal needle tip and prevents furtherdistal movement of the needle tip, thereby to prevent accidental contactby the healthcare practitioner with the needle tip.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the needle guard 40 is in the formof a unitary spring clip that is preferably made of a resilient metalsuch as stainless steel. The spring clip includes a distal arm 42terminating at its upper end in a curved lip 44 and at its lower end ina pointed end 46 which, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, is received withina mating groove 48 formed in the lower interior wall of the catheter hubsection 30.

[0050] The spring clip needle guard 40 further includes a transversesegment 50 that extends upward and proximally from the lower pointed end46 and terminates at a U-shaped upper end 52. In the ready position ofthe spring clip shown in FIG. 1A, the upper end 52 abuts against theupper interior wall of the catheter hub section 30. The spring clipguard 40 further includes a vertical arm 54 that extends downward fromthe U-shaped upper end 52 and terminates above the lower wall of thecatheter hub section 30. The transverse segment 50 and proximal verticalarm 54, respectively, include axially aligned openings 56, 58 throughwhich the shaft of the needle 16 is free to pass and axially move. Thediameter of the opening 58 is slightly greater than that of the needleshaft, whereas the diameter of the opening 56 is greater than that ofthe opening 58.

[0051] In the ready position of the catheter prior to needle withdrawal,the shaft of the needle 16 engages the curved lip 44 of the spring clipneedle guard 40, thereby to exert an essentially downward force on theresilient spring clip. That force causes the lower end 46 of the springclip to seat securely in the groove 48 at point A. That contact, inaddition to the abutment of the upper end 52 of the spring clip with theupper interior wall at the catheter hub at point B, securely maintainsthe spring clip needle guard 40 in the ready position within thecatheter hub.

[0052] As the needle 16 is retracted to the left, as viewed in FIG. 1A,to its fully retracted position, shown in FIG. 1B, after catheterinsertion into the patient's vein, the distal tip of the needle movesproximally past the curved lip 44 of the spring clip needle guard 40 atpoint C, at which time the downward force previously exerted by theneedle shaft on the spring clip is released.

[0053] As a result of the needle 16 moving proximally past point C, theretention force on the spring clip needle guard 40 in the catheter hubis released, causing the spring clip needle guard 40 to pivot or snap ina clockwise direction to the retracted position shown in FIG. 1B. Astherein shown, distal arm 42 of the needle guard 40 blocks the distalpath of the needle 16. Simultaneously with the blocking and releasingactions, the spring clip guard 40 becomes securely clamped onto theneedle shaft at points D and E, thereby to securely lock the needleguard 40 onto the needle shaft. At this time, the needle 16 and needleguard 40 can be removed together from the catheter hub 26, and the tipof the needle cannot be pushed past the needle guard because it isblocked by the distal arm 42 and lip 44 of the needle guard.

[0054] If desired, a slot 60 may be formed in the needle shaft slightlyproximal to the needle tip. When the needle and the needle guard are intheir retracted and clamped positions (FIG. 1B), slot 60 is positionedslightly distal to the clamping point E of the transverse segment of theneedle guard 40 such that if a subsequent attempt is made to move theneedle further in a rearward or proximal direction, the transversesegment 50 at point E will seat into slot 60, thereby to provide anadditional force to retain the needle guard 40 on the needle 16 in theprotected position in which access to the needle tip is prevented.

[0055] The safety IV catheter illustrated in FIGS. 1C and 1D is the sameas that illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, except that the slot 60 in theneedle shaft in the latter is replaced in the former by a crimp 61 whosewidth is greater than that of the opening 58 in the vertical arm 54. Ifan attempt is made to move the protected needle illustrated in FIG. 1Cin the rearward or proximal direction, the crimp 61 will engage the wall54 and will thus not be able to pass through the opening 58, so as toprevent further proximal movement of the needle and removal of theneedle from the needle guard, as defined.

[0056] The embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 2 is similarto that of FIG. 1 except that, instead of the groove formed in the lowerwall of the catheter hub that engages the lower end of the spring clip,a retaining bump 62 is formed in that wall against which the lower end46 of the needle guard 42 seats when the needle guard 40 is in the readyposition, as shown in FIG. 2A.

[0057] The embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B isessentially the same as that of FIG. 2 with the addition of a tether 64secured at one end to the needle hub 12 and at its other end to theproximal arm 54 of the spring clip needle guard 40. As shown in FIG. 3B,the tether 64 is extended to its full length when the needle hub isretracted to achieve needle removal, so as to more securely retain theneedle hub 12 and the spring clip needle guard 40 when the latter isclamped onto the needle when in the retracted position in which, asdescribed above, the distal arm 42 of the spring clip prevents access tothe needle tip, and the needle guard 40 and needle are released from thecatheter hub.

[0058]FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a spring clip needle guard embodyingthe principles of the invention in an alternative configuration. Astherein shown, the spring clip needle guard 40 a includes a distal arm65 terminating at its upper end in a curved lip 66 and at its lower endin a U-shaped portion 67 which, in the ready position illustrated inFIG. 4A, contacts a bump 68 formed in the lower inner wall of thecatheter hub.

[0059] A transverse segment 69 having a central opening 70 extendsproximally and upwardly and terminates at an upper U-shaped portion 72.A proximal end wall 74 having an opening 76 depends vertically fromportion 72 and then extends distally in a horizontal lower segment 78which has an opening 80 through which the lower halves of the distal arm65 and the transverse segment 69 extend in the ready position of theneedle guard. Segment 78, at its distal end, extends upwardly at a frontwall 82 which has a central opening 84 axially aligned with openings 70,76. At its upper end, the distal front wall 82 extends in the proximaldirection in an upper segment 86 which, as shown in FIG. 4A, contactsthe upper inner wall of the catheter hub along substantially its entirelength.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 4A, when the catheter is in the ready position,the needle shaft passes through openings 70, 76 and 84 and rests on thecurved lip 66, urging the arm 65 against the bump 68 in the lower wallof the catheter hub. That engagement, along with the resilientengagement of the upper segment 86 with the upper interior wall of thecatheter hub, retains the spring clip 40 a in its ready position withinthe catheter hub.

[0061] When the needle hub and needle are retracted to the right, asviewed in FIG. 4A, by a sufficient amount, the needle tip passes belowthe lip 66 and then releases its downward force on the arm 65. Asdescribed above with reference to the first-described embodiment, thisrelease of engagement of the needle shaft and the spring clip arm 65causes the arm 65 to snap upwards to the retracted position illustratedin FIG. 4B, in which the arm 65 and the lip 66 extend over the needletip and thereby prevent accidental contact with the needle tip asdesired. In this condition, the needle guard is clamped onto the needleshaft in essentially the same manner described above with respect to thefirst-described embodiment, and the needle and needle guard clampedthereto can be readily removed from the catheter hub, also as describedabove and as shown in FIG. 4B.

[0062] The embodiment of the needle guard illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5Bis essentially the same as that shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, with theaddition of a slot 90 near the distal tip end of the needle. When theneedle and needle guard are in their retracted and clamped position(FIG. 5B), the slot 90 is positioned slightly distal to the clampingpoint of the transverse segment 69 such that if a subsequent attempt ismade to move the needle further in a rearward or proximal direction, thetransverse segment 69 will seat into the slot 90, thereby to provide anadditional force to retain the needle guard in the needle in theprotected position in which access to the needle tip is prevented.

[0063] The embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B isthe same as that illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, except for theinclusion of a tether 92 secured at one end to the needle hub and at itsother end to the proximal wall of the spring clip needle guard. As shownin FIG. 6A, in the ready position, the tether is wound around the distalend of the needle hub. As shown in FIG. 6B, when the needle and needleguard are in their retracted position, the tether is extended to itsfull length and aids in the retention of the needle guard to the needlehub. If desired, the embodiment of the invention embodiment illustratedin FIGS. 6A and 6B could also include a needle slot as in the embodimentof the invention illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

[0064] The embodiment of FIGS. 7A-7C differs from the previouslydescribed embodiments primarily with regard to the construction andoperation of the spring clip needle guard 96. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9,the spring clip 96 includes a central transverse section 98 whichincludes a central slot 100. A sloping section 102 extends from section98 in the proximal direction and terminates at a curved end 104 fromwhich a proximal vertical arm 106 extends. The arm 106 terminates at itslower end in a U-shaped section 108. The distal end of the transversesection 98 terminates in a curved section 110 from which a verticalproximal arm 112 extends. The distal arm 112 terminates at its upper endin a curved arm 114.

[0065] A cutout portion in section 98 defines a flexible flap 116 whichterminates at its distal free end in a downwardly sloping locking tab18. As in the prior embodiments, the proximal arm 106 includes anopening 58.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 7A, the spring clip needle guard 96, when in theready position illustrated therein, is inserted within the catheter hub26 so as to allow the needle 16 to pass through the opening 58 and slot100. As in the previously described embodiments, the curved end 104abuts against the inner upper wall of the catheter hub 26 at point B,and the curved section 110 seats within the mating groove 48 at point Aformed in the lower inner wall of the catheter hub. In addition, thelower curved section 108 contacts at point F the lower inner wall of thecatheter hub 26 at a location proximal to point B.

[0067] In operation, the needle is initially withdrawn into the catheterhub until it reaches the tab engaged position illustrated in FIG. 7B inwhich, as therein shown, the locking tab 118 is received within theneedle groove or slot 60. At this point, the spring clip remains incontact with the inner wall of the catheter hub at points A, B and F,while the needle tip 18 engages the curved end 114, thereby to urgesection 110 into the groove 48 at point C. The relative position ofpoint F with respect to point B prevents the needle and clip from beingprematurely released from the catheter hub by preventing the distal endof the clip from tipping upwards and the proximal end from slippingdownward with the clip in the tab engaged position shown in FIG. 7B.

[0068] As the needle is withdrawn further away from the patient, asshown in FIG. 7C, the needle tip passes beyond the curved end 114,thereby releasing the downward force that had been previously exerted onthe curved end 114 by the needle.

[0069] This sudden release of the downward force on the spring clip endcauses the distal end of the spring clip 96 to pivot upward so that thedistal end 112 of the spring clip 96 moves rapidly to a position inwhich it prevents or blocks the motion of the needle in the distaldirection. The spring clip 96 is retained on the needle 16 and will beremoved from the catheter hub 26 when the needle is completely removed.Movement of the spring clip 96 from its protecting or retracted positionshown in FIG. 7C is further prevented by the insertion of the lockingtab 118 into the needle groove 60, which prevents the spring clip fromrotating around the periphery of the needle. This, in turn, secures thespring clip on the needle, even if the clip were subjected to a twistingand pulling force.

[0070] The safety IV catheter illustrated in FIGS. 7D and 7E is the sames that illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, except that the slot 60 in theneedle shaft in the latter is replaced in the former by a crimp 61 whosewidth is greater than that of the opening 58 in the vertical arm 54. Ifan attempt is made to move the protected needle illustrated in FIG. 7Din the rearward or proximal direction, the crimp 61 will engage the wall54 and will not be able to pass through the opening 58, so as to preventany further proximal movement of the needle and removal of the needlefrom the needle, as desired.

[0071] The embodiment of the spring clip needle guard 120 disclosed inFIGS. 10A, 10B, and 11 comprises first and second arms 122 and 124,respectively, joined at their proximal ends in a hinged arrangement at125 to the ends of a rear wall 126. The distal ends of the arms 122, 124each include a curved protrusion 128 extending to a distal end wall 130,which, in turn, terminates in a lip 132. As seen best in FIG. 11, therear wall 126 includes a central opening 134, and the arms 122 and 124each include a narrow portion 142 that extends between a distal wideportion 140 and a proximal wide portion 144. A lateral clamping edge 146is defined at the distal wide portion 144.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 10A, when the needle guard 120 is in its readyposition, the curved protrusions 128 in each of the arms 122, 124 arereceived in an annular groove or ring 136 formed in the inner wall ofthe catheter hub 26 which, as in the prior embodiments, is removably fitinto the distal end of a needle hub 12. Also as in the prior embodiment,a needle 16 having a sharpened tip 18 at its distal end is receivedwithin a tubular catheter 24 which is secured t the distal end of thecatheter hub 26. The proximal end of the needle 16 passes through theopening 134 in the rear wall 126. The needle 16 includes an crimp 138which is sufficiently small to allow the needle 16 to move axially alongthe catheter 24 but is greater in width than the opening 134 for reasonsto be described below.

[0073] In the ready position illustrated in FIG. 10A, the needle shaftpasses through the needle guard and applies an outward radial force onthe resilient arms 122, 124 by means of its engagement with the lips132, so as to urge the curved protrusions 128 of each of the arms intothe annular groove 136, so as to retain the needle guard 120 in a fixedposition within the inner wall of the catheter hub 26. The shaft of aneedle 16 that passes through the needle guard 120 frictionally engagesthe inner edges of the narrow portion 142 of arms 122, 124 so as tofurther retain the needle in its ready position.

[0074] When the needle is retracted axially to the right, as viewed inFIG. 10A, within the catheter hub and moves past the end lip 132 of theneedle guard, the radial force previously exerted on the arms 122, 124of the needle guard 120 is suddenly released. This causes the distal endwalls 130 of the needle guard to be released from their seat in theannular groove 136 and to pivot inward into the catheter hub until, asseen in FIG. 10B, the end walls 130 overlap one another at a locationdistally in front of the needle tip, thereby to form a barrier thatprevents inadvertent contact with, and distal movement of, the needletip. At the same time, the clamping edges 146 of the needle guard areurged against the needle tip to restrict further axial movement of theneedle.

[0075] As also shown in FIG. 10B, the needle guard 120 and the needleclamped to the needle guard after needle retraction can be removed fromthe catheter hub as a unitary assembly and safely discarded. If anattempt is made, intentionally or inadvertently, to pull the needlefurther to the right, as shown in FIG. 10B, out of the needle guard, thecrimp 138 on the needle shaft will come into contact with the end wall126, and, since its width is greater than that of the opening 134, theend wall 126 will at this point prevent any further axial movement ofthe needle out of the needle guard.

[0076] This spring clip guard of the invention, in the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 12, 13A and 13B, includes a transverse arm 150terminating at its distal end at a distal end wall 152, which includesat its upper end a curved lip 154 and at its lower end a curved end 156.An elongated rectangular opening or slot 158 is provided in thetransverse arm 150. The proximal ends of the transfer arm 150 and theopening 158 terminate at an extension 160 extending upwardly at an anglefrom the arm 150 and having a finger or flap 162 that extends toward theopening 158.

[0077] The proximal end of the extension 160 terminates t a curved end166 from which a proximal end wall 168 extends downwardly. The wall 168,which includes an opening 170, terminates at its lower end at a curvedsection 172 from which extends an upwardly sloping arm 174 thatterminates at a clamping edge 176. As can be seen in FIGS. 13A and 13B,a 360° circular groove 178 is formed about the circumferential wall ofthe needle 16 slightly inwardly from the tip 18 of the needle.

[0078] In the ready position of the spring clip guard of FIG. 12, asillustrated in FIG. 13A, the shaft of the needle passes through thealigned opening 170 in the rear wall 168 and the opening 158 in thetransverse arm 150 and extends distally beyond the catheter hub. As inthe prior embodiments described hereinabove, the needle shaft in thisposition exerts a downward radial force on the arm 150 by means of itsengagement with the curved lip 154. This downward force urges the curvedend 156 of the spring clip to seat firmly within a groove 164 formed inthe inner wall of the catheter hub at point A.

[0079] At the same time, the upper curved end 166 of the end wall 168engages the inner wall of the catheter hub at point B, and the lowercurved end 172 of the wall 168 engages the inner wall of the catheterhub at point F. Further engagement between the needle shaft and thespring clip is provided by the contact of the finger 162 with the upperend of the needle shaft at point E and between the clamping edge 176 andthe lower surface of the needle shaft at point G. In this manner, theneedle is securely but movably retained within the catheter hub in itsready position.

[0080] When the needle is retracted axially to the right, as viewed inFIGS. 13A and 13B, it eventually moves past its engagement with the lip154, thereby to suddenly release the radial force it had previouslyexerted on the arm 150 of the needle guard. This release of engagementbetween the needle shaft and the lip 154 allows the distal curved end156 of the distal end wall 152 of the spring clip to be released fromits seat in the annular groove 164 so that the arm 150 and the end wall152 pivot quickly into the interior of the catheter hub, as seen in FIG.13B, to a position at which the wall 152 forms a barrier to the needletip. This positioning of the wall 15 prevents inadvertent contact withthe needle tip. The engagement of the finger 162 and the clamping edge176 to the opposing sides of the needle prevents further axial movementof the needle in either direction.

[0081] If an attempt is thereafter made to pull the needle axiallyfurther to the right, as viewed in FIG. 13B, the finger 162 will enterthe circular groove 178 formed in the needle surface, thereby to preventfurther axial movement of the needle in the proximal direction out ofthe needle guard.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 14, yet a further embodiment of the presentinvention is generally similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 10A, withthe notable exception that the annular groove or ring 136 of theembodiment shown in FIG. 10A has been replaced with an inwardlyextending annular protrusion 136 a which serves an analogous functionwith respect to the annular groove or ring 136. Preferably, the annularprotrusion 136 a extends completely around the interior of the catheterhub 26 in a generally continuous ring-like fashion.

[0083] The annular protrusion 136 a removably retains the needle guard120 within the catheter hub 26 as the needle 16 is withdrawn from thecatheter hub 26, until the arms 122, 124 of the needle guard 120 moveinwardly as the tip 18 of the needle 16 moves past the end lips 132 ofthe needle guard 120, as discussed in detail above.

[0084] Although the annular protrusion 136 a is shown in FIG. 14 ashaving a generally semicircular cross-section, those skilled in the artwill appreciate that various other cross-sectional configurations of theannular protrusion 136 a are likewise suitable. For example, the annularprotrusion 136 a may alternatively have a generally triangular, square,rectangular, or any other desired cross-sectional configuration.

[0085] The annular protrusion 136 a is preferably formed integrally withrespect to the catheter hub 26, such as being injection molded as aportion thereof. Alternatively, the annular protrusion 136 a may beformed separately from the catheter hub 26 and attached to the catheterhub 26 via adhesive bonding, ultrasonic welding or any other desiredmethod.

[0086] Moreover, it will be appreciated that the annular protrusion 136a may have any desired configuration which releasably retains the needleguard 120 within the catheter hub 26 until the tip 18 of the needle 16has been withdrawn past the lips 132 of the needle guard 120.

[0087] As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, when the needle guard 120 is in itsready position, the curved protrusions 128 in each of the arms 122, 124are positioned near, e.g., in abutting contact with, the annularprotrusion 136 a formed on the inner wall of the catheter hub 26 which,as in the prior embodiments, is removably fit onto the distal end of aneedle hub 12. Also, as in the prior embodiment, a needle 16 having asharpened tip 18 at its distal end is received within a tubular catheter24 which is secured to the distal end of the catheter hub 26. Theproximal end of the needle 16 passes through the opening 134 in the rearwall 126 of the needle guard 120. The needle 16 includes an crimp 138which is sufficiently small to allow the needle 16 to move axially alongthe catheter 24 but which is greater in width than the opening 134 forreasons to be described below.

[0088] In the ready position illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, the needleshaft passes through the needle guard 120 and applies an outward radialforce on the resilient arms 122, 124 by means of its engagement with thelips 132, so as to urge the curved protrusions 128 of each of the armsagainst the inner wall of the catheter hub 26, so as to retain theneedle guard 120 in a fixed position within the catheter hub 26. As wasthe case with the embodiment described with respect to FIGS. 10A and10B, the shaft of a needle 16 that passes through the needle guard 120and optionally frictionally engages the inner edges of the narrowportion 142 (shown in FIG. 11) of arms 122, 124 so as to further retainthe needle in its ready position.

[0089] When the needle is retracted axially to the right, as viewed inFIG. 14, and moves past the end lips 132 of the needle guard 120, theradial force previously exerted on the needle guard arms 122, 124 issuddenly released. The annular protrusion 136 a prohibits movement ofthe needle guard 120 to the right as the needle 16 moves to the right,until the tip 18 past the end lips 132 of the needle guard 120. Movementof the tip 18 past the end lips 132 allows the resilient arms 122, 124and their protrusions 128 therein to move inwardly a sufficient distanceto cease abutting the annular protrusion 136 a. As was the case with theembodiment described with regard to FIGS. 10A and 10B, the distal endwalls pivot inward into the catheter hub until the end walls overlap oneanother at a location distally in front of the needle tip, thereby toform a barrier that prevents inadvertent contact with, and distalmovement of, the sharpened needle tip 18. At the same time, the clampingedges 146 of the needle guard (as described with respect to FIG. 11) areoptionally urged against the needle 16 to restrict further axialmovement of the needle, in relation to the needle guard 120.

[0090] As again shown in FIG. 10B (which shows the needle 16 and theneedle guard 120 removed from the catheter hub 26 and is thus applicableto both the embodiment of FIG. 10A and the embodiment of FIG. 14), theneedle guard 120 is fixedly attached to the needle 16 after needleretraction, such that the needle guard and the needle can be removedfrom the catheter hub as a unitary assembly and safely discarded. If anattempt is made, either intentionally or inadvertently, to pull theneedle further to the right (as viewed in FIG. 10B) out of the needleguard, the crimp 138 on the needle shaft will come into contact with theend wall 126, and, since the crimp width is greater than the diameter ofthe opening 134, the end wall 126 will, at this point, prevent anyfurther axial movement of the needle out of the needle guard.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 16, the inwardly extending, generally annularprotrusion 136 b may alternatively be formed to have a generallyC-shaped configuration. Optionally, the C-shaped protrusion 136 b may bedefined by a metal snap ring which is partially disposed within agroove, such as groove 136 of FIG. 10a. Thus, the inwardly extending,generally annular protrusion 136 b may be formed by sliding a metal snapring into the catheter hub 26 until the metal snap ring snaps into agroove formed within the catheter hub 26.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 17, as a further alternative the inwardlyextending, generally annular protrusion 136 c may be defined so as tohave two generally semi-circular segments or portions. Indeed, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that various different configurationsof the inwardly extending, generally annular protrusion are likewisesuitable.

[0093] Thus, the inwardly extending, generally annular protrusion mayhave any desired configuration. It is preferred that the inwardlyextending, generally annular protrusion not have any gap(s) 137 (asshown in FIGS. 16 and 17) which have a width greater than the width ofthe distal end walls 130 of the needle guard 120. Sizing the gaps 137 soas to be smaller than the width of the end walls tends to prevent theneedle guard 120 from passing through such gaps 137 and therebyundesirably allowing the needle guard 120 to slip out of the needle hub26 without properly protecting the tip 18 of the needle 16. Thus,according to the present invention, any desired number of separatesections may be utilized to define the inwardly extending, generallyannular protrusion, as long as the needle guard 120 is effectively heldin place thereby as the needle 14 is withdrawn from the catheter 24.

[0094] As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the crimp 138 formed in the needle16 preferably defines a pair of generally opposed, outwardly extendingbulges 138 a in the needle and also defines a pair of generally opposed,inwardly extending depressions 138 b, which are disposed generallyorthogonally with respect to the bulges 138 a. The bulges 138 a define acrimp 138 having a width, dimension W, which is small enough tofacilitate movement of the needle 16 within the catheter 24, as shown inFIG. 14, and which is too large to pass through the central opening 134formed in the end wall 126 of the needle guard 120, as discussed above.

[0095] The crimp 138 may be formed by any contemporary crimping process,such as those processes wherein two jaws of a vise or crimper cometogether so as to squeeze the needle 16 in a manner which forms thedepressions 138 b of FIG. 19, thereby consequently also forming thebulges 138 a.

[0096] The IV catheter shown in FIG. 14 is assembled by sliding theneedle guard 120 over the sharpened tip 18 of the needle 16 before thecrimp 138 is formed in the needle 16. The needle 16 passes through theopening 134 formed in the end wall 126 of the needle guard 120. Thedistal arms 132 are opened and the needle 16 passes through them. Next,the crimp 138 is formed in the needle 16, so that the needle guard 120is captured between the crimp 138 and the needle hub 12.

[0097] Next, the needle 16, having the needle guard 120 thereon, is slidinto the catheter hub 26 such that the sharpened tip 18 of the needle 16enters the catheter 24. The needle 16 is slid into the catheter 24 untilthe curved protrusions 128 of the needle guard 120 abut the annularprotrusion 136A.

[0098] Once the curved protrusions 128 abut the annular protrusion 136A,the needle guard 120 ceases to move along with the needle 16. The needleguard 120 may cease to move along with the needle 16 before the curvedprotrusions 128 of the needle guard 120 abut the annular protrusion136A, since the inner surface of the catheter hub 26 tapers inwardly,such that the inside diameter thereof is reduced as the needle guard 120travels further into the catheter hub 26. Thus, the needle guard 120 maycease moving along with the needle 16 due to such narrowing of theinside of the needle guard 26, when the inside diameter of the catheterhub 26 becomes too small for the needle guard 120 to pass furthertherethrough.

[0099] Once the needle guard 120 has ceased to move along with theneedle 16 as the needle is inserted into the catheter 24, a tool is usedto gently urge the needle guard 120 further into the catheter hub 26,until the curved protrusions 128 of the needle guard 120 pass beyond theannular protrusion 136A. Sufficient force must be applied to the needleguard 120 via the tool so as to cause the curved protrusions of theneedle guard 120 to flex toward one another such that they pass beyondthe annular protrusion 136A.

[0100] After the curved protrusions 128 of the needle guard 120 havepassed beyond the annular protrusion 136A and have flexed backoutwardly, generally so as to contact the inner wall of the catheter hub26, then the needle guard 120 is in the ready position as shown in FIG.14.

[0101] The tool used to urge the needle guard 120 past the annularprotrusion 136 within the catheter hub 26 may comprise any convenientstructure suitable for such use. For example, as shown in FIG. 20, asimple pin 200 with a slot 202 running the length thereof (so as toreceive the needle 16 as the needle guard 120 is pushed) may suffice.

[0102] Thus, when the IV catheter of the present invention is assembled,the curved protrusions 128 of the needle guard 120 positively engage theinwardly extending annular protrusion 136A such that the needle guard120 remains within the catheter hub 26 as the needle 16 is withdrawnfrom the catheter 24, until the sharpened tip 18 of the needle passesbetween the lips 132 of the needle guard 120 so as to disengage thecurved protrusions 128 with respect to the annular protrusion 136A toallow the needle guard 120 to move out of the catheter hub 26 along withthe needle 16.

[0103] An alternative method for assembling the spring clip safety I.V.catheter of the present invention may be utilized when the annularprotrusion is configured as a C-shaped protrusion or an open ring 136 b,as shown in FIG. 16 and is formed separately from the catheter hub 26.In this instance, the open ring 136 b can be placed upon the needleguard 120 (between the proximal and distal ends thereof) after theneedle 16 has been passed through the needle guard 120 and crimped.Then, both the needle guard 120 and the open ring 136 b may besimultaneously pushed into the catheter hub 26 utilizing the same tool.

[0104] This tool preferably has at least two fingers, one of which whichextends along each side of the needle guard 120, so as to push the openring 136 b further into the catheter hub 26 than the proximal end of theneedle guard 120. In this manner, the needle guard 120 does not have tobe pushed over the annular protrusion 136. Rather, the needle guard 120and the annular protrusion 136 b are assembled together, i.e., alongwith one another. The annular protrusion 136 b is thus assembled intothe catheter hub 26 so as to lock the needle guard 120 into position,where the needle guard 120 remains until the needle 16 is moved to theprotective position thereof, as discussed in detail above.

[0105] Referring now to FIGS. 21 and 22, yet a further alternativemethod for assembling the needle guard 120 a into the catheter hub 26 isshown. According to this alternative method, the annular protrusion 136d is configured so as to have at least four openings 137 formed thereinand is configured so that the needle guard 120 a may pass through theopenings 137 utilizing very little or no insertion force. After theneedle guard 120 a has been pushed into the catheter hub 26 past theannular protrusion 136 d, then the needle guard 120 a is rotated so asto position the four comers 250 thereof behind the annular protrusion136 d as shown in FIG. 22, which then functions so as to maintain theneedle guard 120 a with the catheter hub 26 until the needle 16 iswithdrawn and moved into the protective position thereof, as discussedin detail above.

[0106] It may be desirable to form the needle guard 120 a so as toprovide a generally square profile, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22.However, as those skilled in the art will appreciate, various differentgenerally square, rectangular or other profiles of the needle guard 120a are likewise suitable. It is merely necessary to locate the openings137 formed in the annular protrusion 136 d such that the needle guard120 a is readily received therebetween during the assemble process andis then held in place thereby, after rotating the needle guard 120 a soas to place the comers 250 thereof into abutting contact with theannular protrusion 136 d.

[0107] It will thus be appreciated that the spring clip needle guard ofthe invention as employed in an IV catheter provides automatic andreliable protection of the needle tip upon needle retraction to preventaccidental contact with the needle tip by a healthcare practitioner Itwill also be appreciated that modifications may be made to theembodiments of the invention specifically described hereinabove withoutnecessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An IV catheter apparatus comprising a tubularcatheter having a proximal end and a distal end, a needle having aneedle shaft and a tip, the needle being received within the tubularcatheter when in a ready position, a catheter hub attached to theproximal end of the tubular catheter, the catheter hub having a hollowinterior and an inner wall, the needle being movable between the readyposition in which the tip is outside of the catheter hub and a retractedposition in which the tip is within the interior of the catheter hub, aneedle guard comprising a resilient portion positioned in the interiorof the catheter hub and on the needle shaft when the needle is in theready position, a section of the resilient portion of the needle guardbeing biased by the needle shaft when the needle is in the readyposition, and an inwardly extending protrusion formed on the inner wallof the catheter hub for engaging a segment of the needle guard forretaining the needle guard to the catheter hub during the movement ofthe needle between the ready position and the retracted position, theneedle guard including a distal wall spaced from the needle tip when theneedle is in the ready position and movable within the interior of thecatheter hub to a blocking position distal of the needle tip when theneedle is in the retracted position in which the needle shaft no longerexerts a force on the resilient portion of the needle guard, whereby theinwardly extending protrusion formed on the inner wall of the catheterhub and the segment of the needle guard disengage.
 2. The IV catheterapparatus of claim 1, in which the distal wall of the needle guard iscontiguous with the resilient portion, the distal wall terminating in acurved lip and the curved lip abutting a side of the needle shaft whenthe needle is in the ready position.
 3. The IV catheter apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a needle bump near the tip.
 4. The IVcatheter apparatus of claim 1, in which the needle guard comprises aproximal wall comprising an opening, wherein the needle passes throughthe opening on the proximal wall in both the ready and retractedpositions.
 5. The IV catheter apparatus of claim 4, wherein theresilient portion extends from the proximal wall.
 6. The IV catheterapparatus of claim 5, further comprising a second resilient portionextending from the proximal wall.
 7. The IV catheter of claim 6, furthercomprising a curved lip extending from each of the resilient portion. 8.The IV catheter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the segment of the needleguard for retaining the needle guard to the catheter hub is formed onthe resilient portion.
 9. The IV catheter apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe segment is integrally formed with the needle guard.
 10. The IVcatheter apparatus of claim 8, wherein the segment of the needle guardfor retaining the needle guard to the catheter hub is integrally formedand extends from the resilient portion.
 11. The IV catheter apparatus ofclaim 1, in which the needle guard includes a second distal wall whichoverlaps with the distal wall and form a distal barrier to the needlewhen the needle guard is in the blocking position.
 12. The IV catheterapparatus of claim 11, in which the needle guard further comprises aproximal end wall having an opening for receiving the needle and asecond resilient portion extending respectively between the proximal endwall and the second distal wall.
 13. The IV catheter of claim 12,wherein the needle comprises a crimp near the tip of the needle.
 14. TheIV catheter apparatus of claim 1, in which the needle includes acircumferential groove positioned proximal of the tip, an edged formedon the needle guard being adapted to enter into the groove.
 15. The IVcatheter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protrusion comprises anannular ring protruding from the inner wall of the catheter hub.
 16. AnIV catheter apparatus comprising a tubular catheter having a proximalend and a distal end, a needle having a needle shaft defining a needleaxis and a tip, the needle being received within the tubular catheterwhen in a ready position, a catheter hub attached to the proximal end ofthe tubular catheter, the catheter hub having a hollow interior and aninner wall, the needle being movable between the ready position in whichthe tip is outside of the catheter hub and a retracted position in whichthe tip is within the interior of the catheter hub, a needle guard forblocking the tip of the needle comprising a resilient portion positionedin the interior of the catheter hub when the needle is in the readyposition, a section of the resilient portion of the needle guard beingbiased by the needle shaft when the needle is in the ready position, aninwardly extending protrusion formed on the inner wall of the catheterhub for engaging the needle guard for retaining the needle guard to thecatheter hub during the movement of the needle between the readyposition and the retracted position, the needle guard including adistally blocking member spaced apart from the needle tip when theneedle is in the ready position and movable within the interior of thecatheter hub to a blocking position distal of the needle tip when theneedle is in the retracted position, whereby the needle guard and theprotrusion disengage.
 17. The IV catheter apparatus of claim 16 in whichthe distally blocking member of the needle guard is contiguous with theresilient portion, the resilient portion including a curved lip engaginga side of the needle shaft when the needle is in the ready position. 18.The IV catheter apparatus of claim 16, in which the resilient portioncomprises a transverse arm and a curved upper segment contiguous withthe transverse arm and in contact with an opposed interior wall of thecatheter hub when the needle is in the ready position.
 19. The IVcatheter apparatus of claim 16, in which the needle guard furthercomprises a proximal wall having an opening and the needle passingtherethrough.
 20. The IV catheter apparatus of claim 16, wherein asegment of the needle guard engages the protrusion.
 21. The IV catheterapparatus of claim 16, wherein the protrusion comprises a ring formed inthe inner wall of the catheter hub.
 22. The IV catheter apparatus ofclaim 20, wherein the segment is a raised portion of the needle guard.23. The IV catheter apparatus of claim 22, wherein the segment isintegrally formed.
 24. A catheter device comprising at least twocomponents that are separable from one another, the first componentcomprises a catheter hub and a catheter tube fixedly secured to thecatheter hub; and the second component comprises a needle hub and aneedle fixedly secured to the needle hub; wherein the needle comprises aneedle tip and a needle shaft, and the catheter tube comprises acatheter passage; and wherein the catheter hub and the needle hubfurther comprise: a catheter hub distal end and a catheter hub proximalend, the catheter hub distal end having the catheter tube extendingtherefrom; a catheter hub opening, the catheter hub opening defining acatheter hub annular space and an inner surface having a protrusionextending radially inwardly thereof; a needle hub distal end and aneedle hub proximal end, the needle hub distal end having the needleextending therefrom; a needle protector clip having a resilient biasingportion, an engagement segment, and a distally blocking member; whereinwhen the needle is in the ready position, which is the position in whichthe needle projects into the catheter passage and the needle tip extendsbeyond the catheter tube; the needle protector clip is disposed over theneedle, is located within the catheter hub annular space, and theengagement segment on the needle protector clip engages the protrusionin the catheter hub to prevent relative movement between the catheterhub and the needle protector clip when the needle moves from the readyposition to a retracted position, which is the position in which theneedle tip moves proximal of the distally blocking member of the needleprotector clip; and wherein when the needle is in the retractedposition, the needle protector clip is activated and attaches to theneedle at the needle tip, the distal blocking member on the needleprotector clip moves over and blocks the needle tip, and the segment onthe needle protector clip disengages from the protrusion to permitrelative movement between the catheter hub and the needle protectorclip.
 25. The catheter device of claim 24, wherein the needle protectorclip further comprises a proximal wall comprising an opening and theneedle comprising a outwardly bulge, and wherein the opening engageswith the bulge when the needle moves to the retracted position.
 26. Thecatheter device of claim 24, wherein the resilient biasing portion, thesegment, and the distally blocking member are integrally formed.
 27. Thecatheter device of claim 24, wherein the protrusion comprises an annularring protruding from the inner surface of the catheter hub.
 28. Acatheter device comprising a catheter hub having a catheter tubeextending from a distal end of the catheter hub, the catheter tubecomprising a lumen and a distal end and the catheter hub comprising aninterior cavity comprising an interior surface having a protrusionextending radially inwardly from the interior surface; a needle hubhaving a needle attached to a distal end of the needle hub comprising aneedle tip; a ready position in which the needle extends through thelumen of the catheter tube and the needle tip extends beyond the distalend thereof; a retracted position in which the needle moves proximallyrelative to the catheter hub and the needle tip is within the interiorcavity of the catheter hub; a needle protector clip comprising aproximal wall having an opening, a resilient member, a needle distallyblocking member, and an engagement segment for retaining the needleprotector clip to the catheter hub during movement of the needle betweenthe ready position and the retracted position; wherein when the needleis in the ready position, the needle protector clip is positioned overthe needle in the interior cavity of the catheter hub and the needlepasses through the opening of the proximal wall; the resilient portionis biased by a side of the needle; and the segment abuts the protrusionin the interior surface of the needle hub; wherein when the needle movesfrom the ready position to the retracted position, the protrusion on thecatheter hub and the segment on the needle protector clip interact tofix relative movement between the catheter hub and the needle protectorclip until the needle moves proximally of the needle distally blockingmember whereupon the resilient member is no longer biased by the side ofthe needle, the needle distally blocking member moves to block theneedle tip, and the engagement segment disengages from the protrusion tothen permit relative movement between the needle protector clip and thecatheter hub.
 29. The catheter device of claim 28, wherein the distallyblocking member extends from the resilient member.
 30. The catheterdevice of claim 28, wherein the engagement segment extends from theresilient member.
 31. The catheter device of claim 28, wherein theresilient member extends from the proximal wall.
 32. The catheter deviceof claim 28, wherein the proximal wall, the resilient member, thedistally blocking member, and the engagement segment are integrallyformed.
 33. The catheter device of claim 28, wherein the needlecomprises a crimp and wherein the crimp engages the opening of theproximal wall when the needle moves to the retracted position.
 34. Thecatheter device of claim 28, wherein the protrusion comprises a circularring formed on the interior surface of the catheter hub.
 35. Thecatheter device of claim 28, further comprising a curved lip extendingfrom the distally blocking member.
 36. The catheter device of claim 35,further comprising a second resilient member and a second curved lipextending from the second resilient member.
 37. The catheter device ofclaim 36, where the curved lip and the second curve lip move in to ablocking position distal of the needle tip when the needle is in theretracted position to form a blocking barrier.
 38. An IV catheterapparatus comprising a needle hub having an exterior surface and aneedle having a needle tip attached thereto removeably engaged to aportion of an interior cavity of a catheter hub comprising a cathetertube extending distally from the catheter hub with the needle extendingthrough the catheter tube and the needle tip extending beyond thecatheter tube; a needle protector clip comprising a proximal wall havingan opening and a resilient portion positioned in the interior cavity ofthe catheter hub having the needle passing through the opening and theresilient portion biased by the needle; wherein a portion of theinterior cavity of the catheter hub is removeably engaged to a portionof the needle protector clip such that the needle protector clip isretained within the cavity of the catheter hub by the engagementwhenever the needle is withdrawn from the catheter tube by moving theneedle hub proximally relative to the catheter hub until the needle tipenters the interior cavity of the catheter hub whereupon the portion ofthe interior cavity of the catheter hub and the portion of the needleprotector clip disengage.
 39. The IV catheter apparatus of claim 38,wherein the portion of the interior cavity of the catheter hub that isremoveably engaged to the portion of the needle protector clip comprisesa protrusion extending inwardly from an interior wall of the interiorcavity of the catheter hub.
 40. The IV catheter apparatus of claim 39,wherein the portion of the needle protector clip comprises a bump or amale detent.
 41. The IV catheter apparatus of claim 38, wherein theresilient portion extends from the proximal wall.
 42. The IV catheterapparatus of claim 41, wherein the resilient portion comprises a distalwall for blocking the needle tip.
 43. The IV catheter apparatus of claim38, wherein the needle comprises a bulge section of the needle or acrimp section of the needle.
 44. The IV catheter apparatus of claim 43,wherein the opening of the proximal wall of the needle protector clipengages the bulge or the crimp of the needle.